For all you wanna-be iPhone/iPad app-making millionaires, we applaud your ambition in this tough economy, though take note of this sobering anecdote reported by the Washington Post: a game called Shot Bar was developed at a cost of $30,000 and released in November, but has a total return under $1,000 to date.
The need for public relations is real: as a tech small business, you must have room for a small business marketing budget. Given that the Apple app marketplace is saturated with close to 150,000 different products, PR is an acute pressure point. Once the iPad goes on sale, this number is going to explode.
App makers, your game/utility/whoopee cushion may be a big deal to you, but what good is your product if you can’t distinguish it from the competition? Do you really think that consumers will take the time to browse the Apple app store the way they shop at Best Buy? Are you leveraging every social media platform for potential sales and to recruit brand ambassadors? Are you making nice with every key tech reporter who will cover the goldrush? How about moving beyond the simple commercial aspects, perhaps maybe try to establish thought leadership and authority in your industry?
If your company isn’t keeping these considerations in mind, your killer app can easily become dead on arrival.
